The Philistines had beaten them, and the Israelites were determined not to let it happen again. So they demanded from God and from His prophet, Samuel, what all the other nations had — a king to lead them in battle and protect them from their enemies (I Sm 8:19).
God gave them Saul, who ultimately failed in his task. Then David was chosen, an unlikely candidate at first glance, a mere shepherd boy.
But wait a minute. When you consider God’s idea of kingship, maybe David’s experience as shepherd made him perfectly suited for the task. For the shepherd’s duty was twofold. When a lion or bear threatened the flock, the shepherd had to fight and protect. But his more daily task was to take the sheep to pasture where they could eat and drink, rest and prosper.
David showed his mettle when Goliath mocked and intimidated God’s people. And he brought Israel from the status of a disorganized, beleaguered people to a unified Middle-Eastern empire. He made his people proud and set them up for success. But he could not resist skimming off some cream in the process. His goal was to protect and care for the flock. But he saw a fair ewe and snatched her for himself, though her husband was risking his very life for David on the battlefield. And David ultimately took that life to cover up his sin (2 Sm 11).
That’s precisely why God had advised His people against a king in the first place. The great ones of this world, reminds Jesus, make their authority felt. They use their authority for their advantage, ultimately exploiting those whom they are supposed to protect.
So Jesus comes as a king, but not a king of this world (Jn 18:36). Ever wonder why He told people to be quiet who went about proclaiming Him messiah-king? Because His kingship was different than the kind of kingship they were expecting. Yes, He was indeed on a mission to rescue His people from the power of darkness (Col 1:12). But His crown was of thorns rather than of gold. His weapon was the Cross rather than a sword. He came to serve rather than to be served. The sign over His head on the Cross, intended as mockery, proclaimed profound truth: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (Lk 23:38). This is true kingship: the true Shepherd-King lays down His life for the sheep.
And how about the provision He makes for His subjects? After all, His role is to feed as well as defend. He fed them and continues to feed them from two tables: the Word and the Eucharist. His teaching and the Sacrament of His Body and Blood together constitute the refreshing nourishment that has made His sheep prosper for 2,000 years. These pastures are always green. True, some of the flock don’t look so prosperous. But what they say about leading a horse to water is equally true about sheep and pasture: you can lead them there, but you can’t make them eat and drink.
For now, He nourishes us through signs. The words of Scripture are signs and all the life-giving sacraments are signs. For now, He protects our souls from being enslaved to the powers of darkness, but our bodies and property are still subject to their harassment.
But things are not now as they will one day be. The king Who once rode into town on a donkey will next time be riding on the clouds. He will come no longer in suffering, but will rather be clothed in glory. Now it takes faith to see Him. Then His coming will be plain as day. Now He compels no one. Then every knee will have no choice but to bow.
When He comes, it will no longer matter who won the election, the promotion, or the Oscar. He will make all things new. Some will be ready, many will not. Some who are last will be first. Others who are first will be last.
The question is not when this will happen. The question is, when it does happen, in which group will you be?
Dr. D'Ambrosio studied under Avery Cardinal Dulles for his Ph.D. in historical theology and taught for many years at the University of Dallas. He appears weekly on radio and TV reaching six continents and his books, tapes, videos, and CDs are internationally distributed. Information on his free resources, talks, CDs, videos and books is available on his website, www.dritaly.com.
For info on Dr. D'Ambrosio’s 2005 cruise to Italy, visit www.crossroadsinitiative.com or call 1.800.803.0118.
(This article originally appeared in Our Sunday Visitor and is used by permission of the author.)
